Do any of our basketball players have a shot at the NBA...

[CajunFan3406]

If I had to pick guys from our roster - TODAY - to say they could make it to the NBA, either as a draft pick or as a rookie free agent/D-league guy, the only person I'd mention is Shawn Long. Physically, he's at a spot where he could hang as a 3/4 in the NBA. He's got the height, and for a freshman, he's got decent size. He's quick for his size, and he can move with the basketball. He's a natural scorer and he generally has a sweet stroke (though he was off last night). Could he guard LeBron James, or even be competitive against him? No. Who could right now? But he's got the raw ability. Payton, who I love watching play, isn't close at all yet. When he decides to take a game over, it's a thing of beauty. But when he's not in that "zone," he's not physically gifted enough to maintain a roster spot in the league. He's a few inches and a lot of weight room sessions away. That said, these guys are only a freshman and sophomore, respectively. If their development follows the path of Bryant Mbamalu, for example (the only guy who's been with Marlin for 3 years), then they're going to be STUDS by the time they graduate, and we may be talking about an entirely different ballgame. Bottom line is, it's way too early to be talking about the pro prospects of these guys. The fact that we have one or two guys that are at least debatably pro prospects is a good thing, and with Coach Forrest here to help with recruiting, I have no doubts that the roster will be built around them with capable, talented players. This offseason is going to be the real test for Marlin's program; if the team manages to fend off attrition and adds a few pieces, our team will be stabilized and in great position to make GIANT strides in the next year or two as seasoning and depth is added to our current roster.

Good points about Long and the team, but I don't see the knock on Payton's height. Is he small? Yes, he could put on a little muscle. But too short? Since when was 6'3" short for a PG? Maybe I'm misunderstanding the few inches away remark.

[BrockMeaux]

It's more about muscle, which will come. But the comment was also because I think him being listed at 6'3" is a little generous, as media guide listings tend to be. If he's a legit 6'3", then he's got the requisite height. Unless you're a Chris Paul/Tony Parker/Steve Nash (ironically listed at 6'3" and I'm pretty sure that's a stretch) kind of scorer and distributor, who are very rare and can produce around 6'0", the NBA trends (at least in my view) more towards the 6'3"-6'6" combo guard style, guys who are versatile enough in size and skill to play the 1 or the 2. Like I said, it's early and all of this discussion will depend on the players' continued development, both physically and through coaching.

[SlappyCajun]

It's more about muscle, which will come. But the comment was also because I think him being listed at 6'3" is a little generous, as media guide listings tend to be. If he's a legit 6'3", then he's got the requisite height. Unless you're a Chris Paul/Tony Parker/Steve Nash (ironically listed at 6'3" and I'm pretty sure that's a stretch) kind of scorer and distributor, who are very rare and can produce around 6'0", the NBA trends (at least in my view) more towards the 6'3"-6'6" combo guard style, guys who are versatile enough in size and skill to play the 1 or the 2. Like I said, it's early and all of this discussion will depend on the players' continued development, both physically and through coaching.

Elfrid is closer to 6'4 than 6'2

[Just1More]

It is extremely hard to earn a spot in the nba... Extremely

You said a mouthful. If you polled every collegiate basketball fanship and asked to project which of their current players are "NBA talent"... there would be 25 times the number of players than the NBA has positions to fill. It doesn't keep those fans from seeing their own as "NBA talent"... but in reality... we are all blinded by both limited factual knowledge and tons of localized emotion.

[SlappyCajun]

You said a mouthful. If you polled every collegiate basketball fanship and asked to project which of their current players are "NBA talent"... there would be 25 times the number of players than the NBA has positions to fill. It doesn't keep those fans from seeing their own as "NBA talent"... but in reality... we are all blinded by both limited factual knowledge and tons of localized emotion.

No doubt. But, the good thing is, unlike football, if you don't make the premier American league, you can continue to play and make good money for many years in exotic locations.

[Just1More]

No doubt. But, the good thing is, unlike football, if you don't make the premier American league, you can continue to play and make good money for many years in exotic locations.

Yes. But that is still exclusive to only a few. We take for granted just how incredible the non NBA basketball professionals playing in overseas leagues are. They are extreme studs as well. Regardless of the case, fans would project way way way more players being post collegiate professional material than there are available spots. I have no problem with it. It really matters not. In fact, I believe we should feel we have some NBA and/or other professional talent in the making. These days, there are athletes that have a chance to be professionals that squander it.

[SlappyCajun]

Yes. But that is still exclusive to only a few. We take for granted just how incredible the non NBA basketball professionals playing in overseas leagues are. They are extreme studs as well. Regardless of the case, fans would project way way way more players being post collegiate professional material than there are available spots. I have no problem with it. It really matters not. In fact, I believe we should feel we have some NBA and/or other professional talent in the making. These days, there are athletes that have a chance to be professionals that squander it.

No doubt, but I think at the end of the day, the percentage of guys who can play basketball professionally after college is much greater than the number of guys who can play football. But, again I don't dispute that they are still really good players.

[cajunfan88]

Payton, Long and Alan Michael Thompson all have a decent shot... they might possibly have to play in the NBA D-League a few years and then get brought up from that if they prove themselves good enough. Only one who *might* get drafted from college is Long if he improves a lot in the next few years. Payton needs to add more weight & speed, but his game as a whole is great for being so young right now.

[SlappyCajun]

Payton, Long and Alan Michael Thompson all have a decent shot... they might possibly have to play in the NBA D-League a few years and then get brought up from that if they prove themselves good enough. Only one who *might* get drafted from college is Long if he improves a lot in the next few years. Payton needs to add more weight & speed, but his game as a whole is great for being so young right now.

AMT has zero shot. He is shorter than EP and can't play point guard. But, he could likely play the game for money somewhere.

[MelRock]

Elfrid is closer to 6'4 than 6'2

I agree he is closer to 6'4, I asked him about his height early in the season and he told me he hadn't been measured. I thought he had grown some over the summer. He is at least 6'3".

Geaux Cajuns!!

[BananaHammock]

I think we all need to reconsider what NBA talent really is. We've had some great athletes in the last 20-30 years and look how many of them were regularly on an NBA roster. You have guys who are Shawn Long's size but can play point guard, post up and take over a game. While the guys mentioned are still young there is a mountain to climb before they would ever see a spot on an NBA team. Not discouraging them but stating the facts.